The best ideas are so obvious you wonder why nobody has ever thought of it before. That could be said of IonGuard, the new product launched by Essex-based Bruntons at METS last week.
Sacrificial anodes play a vital role in protecting vessels of all sizes from stray ions which can reduce expensive underwater metal parts - notably propellers, which Bruntons specialises in - to scrap.
“Until now anodes have changed little since their invention in 1824 by Sir Humphrey Davey, but IonGuard brings the system into the 21st Century,” says the company.
The idea is simple: the IonGuard is an anode that goes into a through-hull fitting. It can be retracted into the boat for inspection or replacement with little or no water ingress, without the need to take the boat out of the water. It also allows racing yachts to retract their anodes to reduce drag.
Different anodes are required for salt and fresh water use - a fact that many owners may not be aware of, says Bruntons. With IonGuard the type of anode can be changed in seconds, ensuring that the boat always has the best protection possible from electrolysis and corrosion.
Whatever the type or size of boat, IonGuard allows owners to monitor their protection, saving the cost of unnecessary haul outs, says the company. The product is available with a range of different skin fittings - stainless steel, plastic and bronze - and anode materials, so it is suitable for any craft, whatever its construction material or area of operation.
Bruntons says that on smaller boats IonGuard can provide total protection, and it can give additional protection on larger vessels.
The product will be on sale shortly, to be fitted as original equipment on new boats, or as “an easily fitted retro-fit” on existing boats, says the company.
For more information visit www.bruntons-propellers.com
